Dispatch-based responder camera activation

ABSTRACT

A method of automatic activation of a responder camera to begin capturing a video can be performed by a computing device. The computing device receives an indication of a location or an event. The computing device determines a geographic area associated with the location or event. The computing device receives a dispatch acknowledgement from a responder, where the dispatch acknowledgement indicates that the responder is at the geographic area or that the responder is en route to the geographic area. The computing device automatically sends a camera activation signal to a responder camera associated with the responder in response to receiving the dispatch acknowledgement from the responder. The responder camera is configured to begin capturing a video in response to receiving the camera activation signal.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one embodiment, a method of activating a responder camera includes acomputing device receiving an indication of a location or an event,determining a geographic area associated with the location or event,receiving a dispatch acknowledgement from a responder, and automaticallysending a camera activation signal to a responder camera associated withthe responder in response to receiving the dispatch acknowledgement fromthe responder. The dispatch acknowledgement indicates that the responderis at the geographic area or that the responder is en route to thegeographic area. The responder camera is configured to begin capturing avideo in response to receiving the camera activation signal.

In one example, the method further includes the computing device sendinga dispatch request to the responder prior to receiving the dispatchacknowledgement from the responder. In another example, the methodfurther includes the computing device receiving the video from theresponder camera. In another example, the video is received from theresponder camera after the responder camera has finished capturing thevideo. In another example, the video is received from the respondercamera as a streaming video. In another example, at least a portion ofthe streaming video is received from the responder camera before theresponder camera finishes capturing the video. In another example, themethod further includes the computing device storing the video receivedfrom the responder camera.

In another example, the dispatch acknowledgement is received from theresponder via a responder computing device associated with theresponder. In another example, automatically sending the cameraactivation signal to the responder camera associated with the respondercomprises automatically sending, by the computing device, the cameraactivation signal to the responder computing device, where the respondercomputing device is configured to relay the camera activation signal tothe responder camera. In another example, receiving the dispatchacknowledgement from the responder comprises receiving, by the computingdevice, the dispatch acknowledgement from the responder via a deviceother than the responder computing device. In another example,automatically sending the camera activation signal to the respondercamera associated with the responder comprises automatically sending, bythe computing device, the camera activation signal directly to theresponder camera activation signal via one or more communicationnetworks.

In another example, the dispatch acknowledgement indicates that theresponder is en route to the geographic area, and wherein automaticallysending the camera activation signal to the responder camera causes theresponder camera to begin capturing the video prior to the responderarriving at the geographic area. In another example, the method furtherincludes the computing device receiving the video from the respondercamera as a streaming video, where at least a portion of the streamingvideo is received from the responder camera prior to the responderarriving at the geographic area.

In another example, the dispatch acknowledgement includes geospatialinformation of one or more of the responder camera or a respondercomputing device associated with the responder. In another example, themethod further includes the computing device sending camera activationsignals to a plurality of responder cameras in response to determiningthat each of a plurality of responders associated with the plurality ofresponder cameras is at the geographic area or en route to thegeographic area. In another example, the method further includes thecomputing device receiving a streaming video from each of the pluralityof responder cameras and simultaneously displaying at least twostreaming videos received from the plurality of responder cameras.

In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium hasinstructions embodied thereon for activating a responder camera, wherethe instructions, in response to execution by a computing device, causethe computing device to receive an indication of a location or an event,determine a geographic area associated with the location or event,receive a dispatch acknowledgement from a responder, and automaticallysend a camera activation signal to a responder camera associated withthe responder in response to receiving the dispatch acknowledgement fromthe responder. The dispatch acknowledgement indicates that the responderis at the geographic area or that the responder is en route to thegeographic area. The responder camera is configured to begin capturing avideo in response to receiving the camera activation signal.

In another embodiment, a computing device for activating a respondercamera includes a processor and a computer-readable medium havinginstructions embodied thereon. The instructions, in response toexecution by the processor, cause the computing device to receive anindication of a location or an event, determine a geographic areaassociated with the location or event, receive a dispatchacknowledgement from a responder, and automatically send a cameraactivation signal to a responder camera associated with the responder inresponse to receiving the dispatch acknowledgement from the responder.The dispatch acknowledgement indicates that the responder is at thegeographic area or that the responder is en route to the geographicarea. The responder camera is configured to begin capturing a video inresponse to receiving the camera activation signal.

In another example, the computing device further includes at least onedisplay device and the instructions, in response to execution by theprocessor, further cause the computing device to receive the video fromthe responder camera and display the received video on the at least onedisplay device. In another example, the computing device furtherincludes at least one memory and the instructions, in response toexecution by the processor, further cause the computing device toreceive the video from the responder camera and store the received videoin the at least one memory.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same become betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a system for communication betweencomputing devices of responders via a network, in accordance with theembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a system and examples of communicationcapabilities of a responder computing device, in accordance with theembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a system and examples of communicationcapabilities of a responder devices, in accordance with the embodimentsdisclosed herein;

FIG. 4 depicts a system in which a dispatch computing system receives adispatch acknowledgement from a responder, in accordance with theembodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict embodiments of automatically sending a cameraactivation signal to a responder camera associated with the responder inthe system depicted in FIG. 4, in accordance with the embodimentsdisclosed herein;

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict embodiments of sending video information from aresponder camera associated with a responder to a dispatch computingsystem in the system depicted in FIG. 4, in accordance with theembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 6C depicts an embodiment of a dispatch computing system receivingand displaying video information, in accordance with the embodimentsdisclosed herein;

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a dispatch computing device determininga geographic area associated with a location, in accordance with theembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 8 depicts another embodiment of a dispatch computing devicedetermining a geographic area associated with an event, in accordancewith the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of a method performed by a computing deviceto automatically activate a responder camera, in accordance with theembodiments disclosed herein; and

FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram that illustrates aspects of anillustrative computing device appropriate for use in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Video recordings are important records for responders and responderagencies. A responder is any individual that is part of an agency thatresponds to particular situations. Examples of responders include lawenforcement officials, firefighting officials, paramedics, privatesecurity personnel, private responders (e.g., tow truck drivers androadside assistance personnel), and the like. Law enforcement officialsinclude police officers, sheriffs and sheriff deputies, state patrolofficers, federal agency officers (e.g., Federal Bureau of Investigationagents, Central Intelligence Agency agents, Transportation SecurityAdministration officers, etc.), members of the National Guard, membersof the armed forces, and the like. Examples of responders also includesupervisors and dispatchers of other responders. Examples of responderagencies include police departments, sheriff offices, fire departments,federal agencies, private companies of private security personnel,private responder organizations, and the like.

Videos associated with responder activities have a number of uses. Forexample, videos have evidentiary value, such as evidence of criminalactivities that occur near responders, evidence of proper actions byresponders, evidence of responder malfeasance, evidence of actions ofindividuals interacting with responders, and the like. Because of theevidentiary value of video, the number of responder cameras (e.g.,cameras under the control of a responder or a responder agency) hasincreased. Examples of responder cameras include dashboard cameras inresponder vehicles, body cameras worn by responders, and the like.

One difficulty associated with the use of responder cameras iscontrolling the times at which the responder cameras capture video. Inone example, a responder camera captures video constantly while theassociated responder is on duty. While this example would capture anyvideo of potential evidentiary value while the responder is on duty,constant capture of video by a responder camera has a number ofdisadvantages. Constant use of a responder camera results in a constantdraw of power, which is especially problematic for responder cameraspowered by batteries, generates a significant amount of video data, thatmust be stored and maintained securely, and creates a number of otherissues.

In another example controlling the times at which the responder camerascapture video, a responder camera captures video when activated manuallyby a responder. In this example, the responder activates the respondercamera to begin recording video when the responder determines toactivate the responder camera, such as when the responder is pursuing asuspect, the responder is responding to a call, and the like. However,relying on manual activation of a responder camera leaves significantroom for human error, such as in situations where a responder forgets toactivate the responder camera, in situations where a responder does notdeem a situation to be appropriate for video recording but videoevidence would have been helpful, in situations where a responderintentionally fails to activate the responder camera to avoid evidenceof malfeasance, and the like.

Due to the disadvantages of controlling the times at which the respondercameras capture video described above, an automated method of activatingresponder cameras in needed to avoid the disadvantages of constantlycapturing video or relying on manual activation by responders.Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed toautomatically activating responder cameras in response to particularsituations.

In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, a computing device (e.g., adispatch computing device) receives an indication of a location orevent. In some examples, a dispatcher enters the indication of alocation (e.g., an address, an intersection, etc.) or an event (e.g., agathering of people, a demonstration route, an ongoing vehicle chase ofa suspect, etc.). The computing device determines a geographic areaassociated with the location or event (e.g., a radius from a location,an area surrounding the event, an expected future path of the event,etc.). The computing device receives a dispatch acknowledgement from aresponder indicating that the responder is at the geographic area orthat the responder is en route to the geographic area. Such adetermination may be made based on geolocation coordinates of a presentor intended future location of the responder contained in the dispatchacknowledgement from the responder. In response to receiving thedispatch acknowledgement from the responder, the computing deviceautomatically sends a camera activation signal to a responder cameraassociated with the responder. The responder camera is configured tobegin capturing a video in response to receiving the camera activationsignal. In this way, the receipt of the dispatch acknowledgement fromthe responder indicating that the responder is at the geographic area orthat the responder is en route to the geographic area triggers thecomputing device to automatically activate the responder camera.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of illustrative embodiments ofthe present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art,however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may bepracticed without some or all of the specific details. In someinstances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail inorder not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of thepresent disclosure may employ any combination of features describedherein. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise formsdisclosed.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a system 100 for communication betweencomputing devices of responders via a network 102. The system 100includes a responder 110 that has a computing device 112. The computingdevice 112 is capable of communicating via the network 102. In someembodiments, the network 102 is a wireless communication network usingone or more wireless communication protocols, such as WiFi, 2G, 3G, 4G,LTE, WiMAX, Bluetooth, and the like. In some embodiments, the network102 includes a number of different communication networks, such as awireless network and a local area network (LAN). In the depictedembodiment, the computing device 112 includes a communicationapplication 114 that includes instructions that cause the computingdevice 112 to communicate with other computing devices via the network102.

The system 100 also includes responders 120, 130, 140, and 150. Each ofthe responders 120, 130, 140, and 150 has one of computing devices 122,132, 142, and 152 that is capable of communicating via the network 102.Each of the computing devices 122, 132, 142, and 152 includes one of thecommunication applications 124, 134, 144, 154 that includes instructionsthat cause the computing devices 122, 132, 142, and 152 to establish acommunication link between computing devices of other responders via thenetwork 102.

In the depicted embodiment, the system 100 also includes a dispatch unit160 that includes a computing device 162. In some examples, thecomputing device 162 includes one or more of a server, a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and the like. Thecomputing device 162 is capable of communicating via the network 102.The computing device 162 includes a communication application thatincludes instructions that cause the computing device 162 to establish acommunication link between computing devices of other responders via thenetwork 102. In one embodiment, the computing device 162 is used by aresponder, such as a dispatcher, a supervisory responder, or any othertype of responder.

In some embodiments, each of the computing devices 112, 122, 132, 142,152, and 162 includes one or more of a cell phone, tablet computer,smart wearable (e.g., a smart watch), a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, and the like. In one example, the computing devices 112, 122,132, 142, and 152 are personal devices of the responders 110, 120, 130,140, and 150 and are not issued by any responder agency of theresponders 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150. In that case, the communicationapplications 114, 124, 134, 144, and 154 are configured to enablecommunication between the personal computing devices 112, 122, 132, 142,and 152 of the responders 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 with each otherand with computing devices of one or more responder agencies, such ascomputing device 162.

In another example, when communicating via the network 102, thecomputing devices 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, and 162 are capable ofsending communications directly to another of the computing devices 112,122, 132, 142, 152, and 162 (i.e., direct communication), to a subset ofthe computing devices 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, and 162 (i.e., selectivecommunication), or to all of the computing devices 112, 122, 132, 142,152, and 162 (i.e., broadcast communication). In some embodiments,communications are sent between one or more of the computing devices112, 122, 132, 142, 152, and 162 via a communication link based on apriority rank among at least two of the responders 110, 120, 130, 140,and 150.

In some embodiments, the responders 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 are allassociated with the same responder agency. Examples of responders fromthe same responder agency include police officers from the same policedepartment, firefighters from the same fire department, private securitypersonnel from the same organization, and the like. In otherembodiments, at least some of the responders 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150are associated with different responder agencies. Examples of respondersfrom different responder agencies include police officers from onepolice department and police officers from another police department,state patrol officers and sheriffs deputies, federal agency agents andmembers of the armed forces, and the like.

An embodiment of a system 170 and examples of communication capabilitiesof the computing device 112 are depicted in FIG. 2. The system 170includes the computing device 112, the network 102, the dispatch unit160, and the dispatch computing device 162. As described above, thecomputing device 112 includes the communications application 114 and iscapable of communicating via the network 102. The computing device 112is also capable of communicating with any number of responder devices116 a-n. Examples of the responder devices 116 a-n include devices wornor carried by the responder 110, such as a responder camera (e.g., anon-body camera, a dashboard camera, etc.), a conducted electrical weapon(CEW), a firearm holster, an on-body microphone, a radio, and the like.Other examples of the responder devices 116 a-n include devicesassociated with a vehicle of the responder 110, such as a light bar, adashboard camera, a microphone, an in-vehicle sensor, and the like. Theresponder devices 116 a-n can include any other device associated withthe responder 110.

In some embodiments, the communications application 114 includesinstructions that, when executed, cause the computing device 112 tocommunicate, via the network 102, with the dispatch computing device 162or any other computing device in communication with the network 102. Insome examples, the computing device 112 communicates via the network 102using one or more wireless communication protocols, such as 2G, 3G, 4G,LTE, or WiMAX. In some embodiments, the communications application 114includes instructions that, when executed, cause the computing device112 to communicate directly with one or more of the responder devices116 a-n. In some examples, the computing device 112 communicatesdirectly with one or more of the responder devices 116 a-n using one ormore wireless communication protocols, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, or nearfield communication (NFC).

In some embodiments, the communications application 114 includesinstructions that, when executed, cause the computing device 112 to sendcommunications to the dispatch computing device 162 via the network 102.In some examples, the communications sent by the computing device 112 tothe dispatch computing device 162 via the network 102 includeinformation obtained or generated by the computing device 112. Forexample, communications from the computing device 112 may include audiorecorded by the computing device 112, geolocation data determined by thecomputing device 112, environmental data (e.g., temperature, atmosphericpressure, etc.), and the like.

In some embodiments, the communications application 114 includesinstructions that, when executed, cause the computing device 112 torelay communications between the dispatch computing device 162 and theresponder devices 116 a-n. In some examples, the communications caninclude video from an on body camera, audio from an on-body microphone,an indication from a light bar of a vehicle that the light bar has beenactivated, an indication from a holster that the holster has beenunlocked to allow removal of a firearm, an indication from a biometricsensor (e.g., heart rate monitor, body temperature sensor, bloodpressure sensor, etc.) of biometric data about the responder 110, andthe like. In some embodiments, the computing device 112 communicateswith one or more of the responder devices 116 a-n using a first wirelesscommunication protocol (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.) and the computingdevice 112 communicates via the network 102 using a second wirelesscommunication protocol (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, WiMAX, etc.).

In another embodiment, the communications application 114 includesinstructions that, when executed, cause the computing device 112 toprocess information prior to sending it via the network 102. In oneexample, the communications application 114 causes the computing device112 to reduce a resolution of the information (e.g., pictures, recordedvideo, video streams, etc.) prior to sending the information via thenetwork 102. In another example, the communications application 114causes the computing device 112 to tag the information with metadata(e.g., a time of capture of the information, a location of capture ofthe information, etc.) prior to sending the information via the network102. In another example, the communications application 114 causes thecomputing device 112 to compile multiple forms of information (e.g.,text and images) into a single transmission via the network 102.

The depiction in FIG. 2 includes an embodiment of the computing device112. However, this embodiment is not limited only to the computingdevice 112. Any of the other computing devices described herein, such ascomputing devices 122, 132, 142, 152, and 162, may have similarcapabilities to communicate via the network 102 and to communicate withresponder devices associated with the computing devices.

An embodiment of a system 180 and examples of communication capabilitiesof the responder devices 116 a-n are depicted in FIG. 3. Each of theresponder devices 116 a-n is configured to communicate, via the network102, with the dispatch computing device 162 or any other computingdevice in communication with the network 102. In some examples, theresponder devices 116 a-n communicate via the network 102 using one ormore wireless communication protocols, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, orWiMAX. In some embodiments, the communication between the responderdevices 116 a-n and the dispatch computing device 162 includes either orboth of communication from the responder devices 116 a-n to the dispatchcomputing device 162 (e.g., video information, audio information,responder device status information, biometric data, geolocationinformation, etc.) and communication from the dispatch computing device162 to the responder devices 116 a-n (e.g., an activation signal toactivate one of the responder devices 116 a-n).

In both the embodiments of systems 170 and 180 depicted in FIGS. 2 and3, the responder devices 116 a-n and the dispatch computing device 162are capable of communicating with each other. In another embodiment, theresponder devices 116 a-n and the dispatch computing device 162 arecapable of communicating with each other using a hybrid of the systems170 and 180 depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. In one embodiment, one of theresponder devices 116 a-n and the dispatch computing device 162communicate via the network 102, as shown in FIG. 3, to communicatelow-bandwidth messages (e.g., a sensor reading from one of the responderdevices 116 a-n to the dispatch computing device 162, an activationmessage from the dispatch computing device 162 to the one of theresponder devices 116 a-n, etc.) and the responder devices 116 a-n andthe dispatch computing device 162 communicate via computing device 112and the network 102, as shown in FIG. 2, to communicate high-bandwidthmessages (e.g., video information from one of the responder devices 116a-n to the dispatch computing device 162, etc.). Any other combinationof using the two systems 170 and 180 depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 ispossible.

Communications between a responder device and a dispatch computingsystem can be used to automatically activate the responder device. Anexample of automatic activation of a responder camera 116 m using asystem 200 is depicted in FIGS. 4 to 6B. The system 200 includes theresponder, the network 102, and the dispatch unit 160. The responder 110has the computing device 112 with the communications application 114 andthe responder 110 has the responder camera 116 a. While the respondercamera 116 m depicted in FIGS. 4 to 6B is an on-body camera, theresponder camera 116 m can be any type of responder camera, such as adashboard camera in a responder vehicle. The dispatch unit 160 includesthe dispatch computing device 162. The embodiments of methods shown inFIGS. 4 to 6B depict examples of a dispatch computing system 162automatically activating the responder camera 116 m.

In FIG. 4, the dispatch computing system 162 receives a dispatchacknowledgement 202. The dispatch acknowledgement 202 indicates that theresponder 110 is at a geographic area or en route to a geographic area.In one embodiment, the dispatch computing system 162 previously receivedan indication of a location or event and determined the geographic areaassociated with the location or event.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the dispatch computing system 162receives the dispatch acknowledgement 202 from the computing device 112via the network 102. In this embodiment, the computing device 112 maysend the dispatch acknowledgement 202 in response to an input from theresponder 110 accepting dispatch instructions to respond to the locationor event or to respond to the geographic area. In one embodiment, thecomputing device 112 adds information to the dispatch acknowledgement202 before sending the dispatch acknowledgement 202, such as geospatialinformation indicating the current location of the computing device 112or an intended destination of the responder 110.

In some embodiments not shown in FIG. 4, the dispatch computing system162 is capable of receiving the dispatch acknowledgement 202 from theresponder in other ways. In one embodiment, the responder 110communicates with a dispatcher, such as via a two-way radio system, toaccept a dispatch request and to provide the dispatcher with a currentlocation and/or intended destination of the responder 110. Thedispatcher enters the dispatch acknowledgement 202 into the dispatchcomputing system 162 with an indication that the responder 110 is at thegeographic area or that the responder 110 is en route to the geographicarea. There are any number of other ways by which the responder 110provides information that is received by the dispatch computing system162 as the dispatch acknowledgement 202.

In response to receiving the dispatch acknowledgement 202, the dispatchcomputing system 162 automatically sends a camera activation signal tothe responder camera 116 m associated with the responder 110. Theresponder camera 116 m is configured to begin capturing a video inresponse to receiving the camera activation signal. In this way, by thedispatch computing system 162 sending the camera activation signal inresponse to receiving the dispatch acknowledgement 202 indicating thatthe responder 110 is at the geographic area or that the responder is enroute to the geographic area, the responder camera 116 m isautomatically activated to capture video of events happening at and/oren route to the geographic area. Two embodiments of the dispatchcomputing system 162 automatically sending a camera activation signal tothe responder camera 116 m associated with the responder 110 aredepicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, the dispatch computing system 162automatically sends a camera activation signal 204 a to the computingdevice 112 via the network 102 and the computing device 112 sends acamera activation signal 204 b to the responder camera 116 m. Inresponse to receiving the camera activation signal 204 b, the respondercamera 116 m begins capturing a video. In this way, the automaticsending of the camera activation signal 204 a by the dispatch computingsystem 162 causes the responder camera 116 m to begin capturing a video.The camera activation signal 204 b may be the same as the cameraactivation signal 204 a or the camera activation signal 204 b may be amodified version of the activation signal 204 a (e.g., in the case wherethe computing device 112 processes the camera activation signal 204 a togenerate the camera activation signal 204 b).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, the dispatch computing system 162automatically sends a camera activation signal 204 c to the respondercamera 116 m via the network 102. The camera activation signal 204 cdoes not pass through the computing device 112. Sending the cameraactivation signal 204 c from the dispatch computing system 162 to theresponder camera 116 m without the camera activation signal 204 cpassing through the computing device 112 avoids any issues that may beassociated with the computing device 112, such as the computing device112 being without power (e.g., the batter of the computing device 112 isnot charged), the computing device 112 not being in communication withthe responder camera 116 m (e.g., the computing device 112 is not pairedwith the responder camera 116 m), and the like.

In response to receiving either the camera activation signal 204 b orthe camera activation signal 204 c, the responder camera 116 m beginscapturing video. In some embodiments, video information from the videocaptured by the responder camera 116 m is sent to the dispatch computingsystem 162. Examples of sending video information from the respondercamera 116 m to the dispatch computing system 162 are depicted in FIGS.6A and 6B.

In FIG. 6A, video information 206 a is sent from the responder camera116 m to the computing device 112. In some embodiments, the videoinformation 206 a is sent via a short range communication protocol, suchas Bluetooth or WiFi. The computing device 112 sends the videoinformation 206 b to the dispatch computing system 162 via the network102. In some embodiments, the video information 206 b is sent via a longrange communication protocol, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, or WiMAX. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 6A, the computing device 112 acts as a relaybetween the responder camera 116 m and the dispatch computing system162.

In FIG. 6B, video information 206 c is sent from the responder camera116 m to the dispatch computing system 162 via the network 102. In someembodiments, the video information 206 c is sent via a long rangecommunication protocol, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, or WiMAX. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 6B, the video information 206 c is sent fromthe responder camera 116 m to the dispatch computing system 162 withoutthe video information 206 c passing through the computing device 112.This embodiment avoids any issues that may be associated with thecomputing device 112, such as the computing device 112 being withoutpower, the computing device 112 not being in communication with theresponder camera 116 m, and the like.

In some embodiments, video information is sent from the responder camera116 m to the dispatch computing system 162 after completion of recordinga video. For example, the responder camera 116 m may record a video fora particular amount of time and then send the video information for thevideo after the recording is completed. In other embodiments, at least aportion of the video information is sent from the responder camera 116 mto the dispatch computing system 162 such that the dispatch computingsystem 162 receives the portion of the video information before theresponder camera 116 m finishes recording the video. This action by theresponder camera 116 m is sometimes referred to as sending a “livestream” of the video or as sending a “streaming video,” even though thedispatch computing system 162 may not receive the video informationinstantaneously as it is recorded by the responder camera 116 m. Delaysin receiving a live stream of a video may be due to delays in processingby the responder camera 116 m, the computing device 112, and/or thedispatch computing system 162, latency in the network 102, or any othercause of delay. Both of the embodiments of sending video informationfrom the responder camera 116 m to the dispatch computing system 162depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B are usable to send completed videos or tosend live streams of videos. In other embodiments, video informationrecorded by the responder camera 116 m can be conveyed by wiredmechanisms, such as by placing the responder camera 116 m in a cradlecoupled to the dispatch computing system 162 (e.g., at the end of aresponder's shift upon returning to the dispatch unit 160).

An example of the dispatch computing system 162 receiving videoinformation 206 d is depicted in FIG. 6C. As shown in FIG. 6C, thedispatch computing system 162 receives the video information 206 d. Thevideo information 206 d may include video information from a singleresponder camera or a number of different responder cameras. In someembodiments, the dispatch computing system 162 includes at least onememory and the dispatch computing system 162 stores the received videoinformation 206 d. In some embodiments, including the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 6C, the dispatch computing system 162 is coupled to oneor more display devices 164 and the dispatch computing system 162displays the received video information 206 d on the one or more displaydevices 164. In the case where the video information 206 d includes livestreams of video information from a number of different respondercameras, the dispatch computing system 162 may display the live streamson different portions 166 of the one or more display devices 164. Inthis way, a dispatcher or other user viewing the one or more displaydevices 164 will be able to see the live streams from the differentresponder cameras at the same time.

Examples of a dispatch computing device determining a geographic areaassociated with a location or event are depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8. A map300 is depicted in FIG. 7 with indications of a location or event 302and responders 304 a-g. In some embodiments, the location or event 302may be a car accident, a reported crime, a person in need of medicalattention, a disabled vehicle, a business, a residence, or any otherlocation or event. In one embodiment, a dispatch computing devicereceives the indication of the location or event 302. In some examples,the dispatch computing device receives the indication of the location orevent 302 in the form of an address, an intersection, geospatialinformation, or any other information that identifies the location orevent. In some examples, the indication of the location or event 302 isreceived by the dispatch computing device from a dispatcher incommunication with a responder, from a computing device of a responder,or from any other source.

The computing device determines a geographic area 306 associated withthe location or event 302. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, thegeographic area 306 is a substantially circular area within apredetermined distance of the location or event 302. In otherembodiments, a geographic area associated with a location or event canhave any other shape (e.g., rectangle, oval, etc.), have an irregularshape, be generated based on user preferences (e.g., a defaultgeographic area shape or size), be based on a user input (e.g., an areadrawn on a map by a user), or be generated in any other manner. In someembodiments, the geographic area represents an area of interest. In aneffort to capture evidence about the geographic area 306, the dispatchcomputing device automatically activates responder cameras associatedwith one or more of the responders 304 a-g in response to receiving oneor more dispatch acknowledgements from the one or more of the responders304 a-g.

In one embodiment, the dispatch computing device automatically sends acamera activation signal to a responder camera associated with aresponder that is at the location or event 302. For example, theresponder 304 b may have reported the location or event 302 and sent adispatch acknowledgement that the responder 304 b is at the location orevent 302. In another embodiment, the dispatch computing device sends adispatch request to the responder 304 b prior to receiving the dispatchacknowledgement from the responder 304. The dispatch computing deviceautomatically sends a camera activation signal to a responder cameraassociated with the responder 304 b in response to receiving thedispatch acknowledgement from the responder 304 b. The responder cameraof the responder 304 b is configured to begin capturing video inresponse to receiving the camera activation signal.

In another embodiment, the dispatch computing device automatically sendsa camera activation signal to one or more responder cameras associatedwith one or more responders that are within the geographic area 306. Forexample, the responders 304 a and 304 c-d may have sent dispatchacknowledgements that the responders 304 a and 304 c-d are at theirrespective locations within the geographic area 306 shown in FIG. 7. Thedispatch computing device automatically sends camera activation signalsto responder cameras associated with the responders 304 a and 304 c-d inresponse to receiving the dispatch acknowledgements from the responders304 a and 304 c-d. The responder cameras of the responders 304 a and 304c-d are configured to begin capturing video in response to receiving thecamera activation signals. In some embodiments, the dispatchacknowledgements from the responders 304 a and 304 c-304 d are receivedbefore the dispatch computing device determines the geographic area 306and the dispatch computing device sending the camera activation signalsto responder cameras associated with the responders 304 a and 304 c-304d in response to receiving the dispatch acknowledgements from theresponders 304 a and 304 c-304 d includes sending the camera activationsignals to responder cameras associated with the responders 304 a and304 c-304 d in response to receiving the dispatch acknowledgements fromthe responders 304 a and 304 c-304 d and determining the geographic area306.

In another embodiment, the dispatch computing device automatically sendsa camera activation signal to a responder camera associated with aresponder that is en route to the location or event 302. For example,the responder 304 e may have sent a dispatch acknowledgement that theresponder 304 e is en route to the location or event 302 as backup forthe responder 304 b. The dispatch computing device automatically sends acamera activation signal to a responder camera associated with theresponder 304 e in response to receiving the dispatch acknowledgementfrom the responder 304 e. The responder camera of the responder 304 e isconfigured to begin capturing video in response to receiving the cameraactivation signal. In some embodiments, the responder camera of theresponder 304 e begins capturing video before the responder 304 e entersthe geographic area 306. In this way, video is recorded while theresponder 304 e is en route to the geographic area 306. In someembodiments, the dispatch computing device receives the video from theresponder camera associated with the responder 304 e as a streamingvideo, and at least a portion of the streaming video is received by thedispatch computing device from the responder camera associated with theresponder 304 e prior to the responder 304 e arriving at the geographicarea 306.

In another embodiment, the dispatch computing device automatically sendsa camera activation signal to one or more responder cameras associatedwith one or more responders that are en route to the geographic area306. For example, the responder 304 f may have sent a dispatchacknowledgement that the responder 304 f is en route to the locationwhere responder 304 d is located within the geographic area 306 asbackup for responder 304 d. The dispatch computing device automaticallysends camera activation signals to the responder camera associated withthe responder 304 f in response to receiving the dispatchacknowledgement from the responder 304 f The responder camera of theresponder 304 f is configured to begin capturing video in response toreceiving the camera activation signal. Even though the responder 304 fis not en route to the location or event 302, the responder 304 f is enroute to the geographic area 306 and video captured by the respondercamera of the responder 304 f may assist with the efforts of respondersresponding to the location or event 302. In some embodiments, thedispatch computing device receives the video from the responder cameraassociated with the responder 304 f as a streaming video, and at least aportion of the streaming video is received by the dispatch computingdevice from the responder camera associated with the responder 304 fprior to the responder 304 f arriving at the geographic area 306.

A map 400 is depicted in FIG. 8 with indications of an event in the formof a parade 402 a, a parade route 402 b, and responders 404 a-j. In oneembodiment, a dispatch computing device receives the indication of theparade route 402 b. In some examples, the dispatch computing devicereceives the indication of the parade route 402 b in the form of aseries of addresses, a series of intersections, geospatial informationdata of the parade route 402 b, or any other information that identifiesthe parade route 402 b. In some examples, the indication of the paraderoute 402 b is received by the dispatch computing device from a staffperson at a responder agency (e.g., police department staff) or from anyother source.

The computing device determines a geographic area 406 associated withthe parade route 402 b. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, thegeographic area 406 parallels the parade route 402 b within apredetermined distance of the parade route 402 b. In some embodiments,the geographic area 406 represents an area of interest. In an effort tocapture evidence about the geographic area 406, the dispatch computingdevice automatically activates responder cameras associated with one ormore of the responders 404 a-j in response to receiving one or moredispatch acknowledgements from the one or more of the responders 404a-j.

In one embodiment, the dispatch computing device automatically sends acamera activation signal to one or more responder cameras associatedwith one or more responders that are within the geographic area 406. Forexample, the responders 404 a-g may have sent dispatch acknowledgementsthat the responders 404 a-g are at their respective locations within thegeographic area 406 shown in FIG. 7. The dispatch computing deviceautomatically sends camera activation signals to responder camerasassociated with the responders 404 a-g in response to receiving thedispatch acknowledgements from the responders 404 a-g. The respondercameras of the responders 404 a-g are configured to begin capturingvideo in response to receiving the camera activation signals. In someembodiments, the dispatch acknowledgements from the responders 404 a-gare received before the dispatch computing device determines thegeographic area 406 and the dispatch computing device sending the cameraactivation signals to responder cameras associated with the responders404 a-g in response to receiving the dispatch acknowledgements from theresponders 404 a-g includes sending the camera activation signals toresponder cameras associated with the responders 404 a-g in response toreceiving the dispatch acknowledgements from the responders 404 a-g anddetermining the geographic area 406.

In another embodiment, the dispatch computing device automatically sendsa camera activation signal to one or more responder cameras associatedwith one or more responders that are en route to the geographic area406. For example, the responder 404 j may have been informed thatresponder 404 d requires assistance and the responder 404 j may havesent a dispatch acknowledgement that the responder 404 j is en route tothe location where responder 404 d is located within the geographic area406. The dispatch computing device automatically sends camera activationsignals to the responder camera associated with the responder 404 j inresponse to receiving the dispatch acknowledgement from the responder404 d. The responder camera of the responder 404 d is configured tobegin capturing video in response to receiving the camera activationsignal.

While the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 include particularscenarios, such as the parade 402 a and the parade route 402 b depictedin FIG. 8, the concepts discussed above with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8apply to any number of other stations. In one example, the embodimentdiscussed above with respect to FIG. 7 can be adapted for larger events,such as a sporting event, a fair, a demonstration, or any other event.In some embodiments, an event may take place over a larger area (e.g.,over one or more city blocks) and the dispatch computing devicedetermines a geographic area associated with the event based on thelarger area of the event itself. In another example, the embodimentdiscussed above with respect to FIG. 8 can be adapted for other eventsthat have a route, such as a vehicle chase with an anticipated chaseroute, a funeral processional with an expected route, or any other eventthat occurs over a route. In some embodiments, the dispatch computingdevice determines the geographic area based on a probability of an eventtaking a particular route (e.g., determining a geographic areaassociated with a vehicle chase based on a probability of the vehicletaking a particular route).

An embodiment of a method 500 performed by a computing device toautomatically activate a responder camera is depicted in FIG. 9. Atblock 502, the computing device receives an indication of a location oran event. As described above, the indication can be received from aresponder computing device via a network, from a dispatcher incommunication with a responder, from a responder agency staff member, orfrom any other source. At block 504, the computing device determines ageographic area associated with the location or event. As describedabove, the geographic area can be a regular shape, an irregular shape, auser-defined area, a predetermined distance from the location or event,or any other geographic area associated with the location or event.

At block 506, the computing device receives a dispatch acknowledgementfrom a responder, where the dispatch acknowledgement indicates that theresponder is at the geographic area or that the responder is en route tothe geographic area. As described above, the dispatch acknowledgementcan be received from a responder computing device via a network, from adispatcher entering the dispatch acknowledgement in response to acommunication between the responder and the dispatcher, or from anyother source conveying the dispatch acknowledgement from the responder.At block 508, the computing device automatically sends a cameraactivation signal to a responder camera associated with the responder inresponse to receiving the dispatch acknowledgement from the responder.The responder camera is configured to begin capturing a video inresponse to receiving the camera activation signal. As described above,the camera activation signal may be sent from the computing device tothe responder camera via a network, from the computing device to aresponder computing device where the responder computing device isconfigured to relay the camera activation signal to the respondercamera, or from the computing device to the responder camera in anyother way.

Unless otherwise specified in the context of specific examples,described techniques and tools may be implemented by any suitablecomputing device or set of computing devices.

In any of the described examples, a data store contains data asdescribed herein and may be hosted, for example, by a databasemanagement system (DBMS) to allow a high level of data throughputbetween the data store and other components of a described system. TheDBMS may also allow the data store to be reliably backed up and tomaintain a high level of availability. For example, a data store may beaccessed by other system components via a network, such as a privatenetwork in the vicinity of the system, a secured transmission channelover the public Internet, a combination of private and public networks,and the like. Instead of, or in addition to a DBMS, a data store mayinclude structured data stored as files in a traditional file system.Data stores may reside on computing devices that are part of or separatefrom components of systems described herein. Separate data stores may becombined into a single data store, or a single data store may be splitinto two or more separate data stores.

Some of the functionality described herein may be implemented in thecontext of a client-server relationship. In this context, server devicesmay include suitable computing devices configured to provide informationand/or services described herein. Server devices may include anysuitable computing devices, such as dedicated server devices. Serverfunctionality provided by server devices may, in some cases, be providedby software (e.g., virtualized computing instances or applicationobjects) executing on a computing device that is not a dedicated serverdevice. The term “client” can be used to refer to a computing devicethat obtains information and/or accesses services provided by a serverover a communication link. However, the designation of a particulardevice as a client device does not necessarily require the presence of aserver. At various times, a single device may act as a server, a client,or both a server and a client, depending on context and configuration.Actual physical locations of clients and servers are not necessarilyimportant, but the locations can be described as “local” for a clientand “remote” for a server to illustrate a common usage scenario in whicha client is receiving information provided by a server at a remotelocation.

FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram that illustrates aspects of anillustrative computing device 600 appropriate for use in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. The description below isapplicable to servers, personal computers, mobile phones, smart phones,tablet computers, embedded computing devices, and other currentlyavailable or yet to be developed devices that may be used in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

In its most basic configuration, the computing device 600 includes atleast one processor 602 and a system memory 604 connected by acommunication bus 606. Depending on the exact configuration and type ofdevice, the system memory 604 may be volatile or nonvolatile memory,such as read only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), EEPROM,flash memory, or other memory technology. Those of ordinary skill in theart and others will recognize that system memory 604 typically storesdata and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/orcurrently being operated on by the processor 602. In this regard, theprocessor 602 may serve as a computational center of the computingdevice 600 by supporting the execution of instructions.

As further illustrated in FIG. 10, the computing device 600 may includea network interface 610 comprising one or more components forcommunicating with other devices over a network. Embodiments of thepresent disclosure may access basic services that utilize the networkinterface 610 to perform communications using common network protocols.The network interface 610 may also include a wireless network interfaceconfigured to communicate via one or more wireless communicationprotocols, such as WiFi, 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, WiMAX, Bluetooth, and/or thelike.

In the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the computing device600 also includes a storage medium 608. However, services may beaccessed using a computing device that does not include means forpersisting data to a local storage medium. Therefore, the storage medium608 depicted in FIG. 10 is optional. In any event, the storage medium608 may be volatile or nonvolatile, removable or non-removable,implemented using any technology capable of storing information such as,but not limited to, a hard drive, solid state drive, CD ROM, DVD, orother disk storage, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and/or thelike.

As used herein, the term “computer-readable medium” includes volatileand nonvolatile and removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology capable of storing information, such ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. In this regard, the system memory 604 and storage medium 608depicted in FIG. 10 are examples of computer-readable media.

For ease of illustration and because it is not important for anunderstanding of the claimed subject matter, FIG. 10 does not show someof the typical components of many computing devices. In this regard, thecomputing device 600 may include input devices, such as a keyboard,keypad, mouse, trackball, microphone, video camera, touchpad,touchscreen, electronic pen, stylus, and/or the like. Such input devicesmay be coupled to the computing device 600 by wired or wirelessconnections including RF, infrared, serial, parallel, Bluetooth, USB, orother suitable connection protocols using wireless or physicalconnections.

In any of the described examples, data can be captured by input devicesand transmitted or stored for future processing. The processing mayinclude encoding data streams, which can be subsequently decoded forpresentation by output devices. Media data can be captured by multimediainput devices and stored by saving media data streams as files on acomputer-readable storage medium (e.g., in memory or persistent storageon a client device, server, administrator device, or some other device).Input devices can be separate from and communicatively coupled tocomputing device 600 (e.g., a client device), or can be integralcomponents of the computing device 600. In some embodiments, multipleinput devices may be combined into a single, multifunction input device(e.g., a video camera with an integrated microphone). The computingdevice 600 may also include output devices such as a display, speakers,printer, etc. The output devices may include video output devices suchas a display or touchscreen. The output devices also may include audiooutput devices such as external speakers or earphones. The outputdevices can be separate from and communicatively coupled to thecomputing device 600, or can be integral components of the computingdevice 600. Input functionality and output functionality may beintegrated into the same input/output device (e.g., a touchscreen). Anysuitable input device, output device, or combined input/output deviceeither currently known or developed in the future may be used withdescribed systems.

In general, functionality of computing devices described herein may beimplemented in computing logic embodied in hardware or softwareinstructions, which can be written in a programming language, such as C,C++, COBOL, JAVA™, PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, HTML, CSS, JavaScript,VBScript, ASPX, Microsoft.NET™ languages such as C#, and/or the like.Computing logic may be compiled into executable programs or written ininterpreted programming languages. Generally, functionality describedherein can be implemented as logic modules that can be duplicated toprovide greater processing capability, merged with other modules, ordivided into sub modules. The computing logic can be stored in any typeof computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory medium such as amemory or storage medium) or computer storage device and be stored onand executed by one or more general purpose or special purposeprocessors, thus creating a special purpose computing device configuredto provide functionality described herein.

Many alternatives to the systems and devices described herein arepossible. For example, individual modules or subsystems can be separatedinto additional modules or subsystems or combined into fewer modules orsubsystems. As another example, modules or subsystems can be omitted orsupplemented with other modules or subsystems. As another example,functions that are indicated as being performed by a particular device,module, or subsystem may instead be performed by one or more otherdevices, modules, or subsystems. Although some examples in the presentdisclosure include descriptions of devices comprising specific hardwarecomponents in specific arrangements, techniques and tools describedherein can be modified to accommodate different hardware components,combinations, or arrangements. Further, although some examples in thepresent disclosure include descriptions of specific usage scenarios,techniques and tools described herein can be modified to accommodatedifferent usage scenarios. Functionality that is described as beingimplemented in software can instead be implemented in hardware, or viceversa.

Many alternatives to the techniques described herein are possible. Forexample, processing stages in the various techniques can be separatedinto additional stages or combined into fewer stages. As anotherexample, processing stages in the various techniques can be omitted orsupplemented with other techniques or processing stages. As anotherexample, processing stages that are described as occurring in aparticular order can instead occur in a different order. As anotherexample, processing stages that are described as being performed in aseries of steps may instead be handled in a parallel fashion, withmultiple modules or software processes concurrently handling one or moreof the illustrated processing stages. As another example, processingstages that are indicated as being performed by a particular device ormodule may instead be performed by one or more other devices or modules.

Embodiments disclosed herein include a computer-implemented method forperforming one or more of the above-described techniques; a computingdevice comprising a processor and computer-readable storage media havingstored thereon computer executable instructions configured to cause theserver computer to perform one or more of the above describedtechniques; a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereoncomputer executable instructions configured to cause a computing deviceto perform one or more of the above-described techniques; a computingsystem comprising a server that provides one or more of theabove-described services. The computer system may further compriseplural client computing devices; and a client computing device incommunication with a server that provides one or more of theabove-described services, the client computing device comprising aprocessing unit and computer-readable storage media having storedthereon computer executable instructions configured to cause the clientcomputing device to perform one or more of the above describedtechniques.

The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation ofthe present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description.However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to beprotected are not to be construed as limited to the particularembodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are tobe regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will beappreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, andequivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all suchvariations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing system for activating recording, thecomputing system comprising: a processor; and a computer-readable mediumhaving instructions embodied thereon, wherein the instructions, inresponse to execution by the processor, cause the computing system to:receive an indication of a location; receive a dispatch acknowledgementfrom a responder computing device associated with a responder, thedispatch acknowledgement indicating that the responder computing deviceis at a geographic area or that the responder computing device is enroute to the geographic area; determine the geographic area associatedwith the location; and in response to receiving the dispatchacknowledgement from the responder computing device, automatically senda camera activation signal to a responder camera associated with theresponder; and receive video from the responder camera, wherein theresponder camera is separate from the responder computing device and theresponder camera is configured to send the video in response toreceiving the camera activation signal.
 2. The computing system of claim1, wherein the indication of the location is received from the respondercomputing device.
 3. The computing system of claim 1, wherein thedispatch acknowledgement includes geospatial information of theresponder camera.
 4. The computing system of claim 1, wherein thedispatch acknowledgement is received from the responder computing devicevia a wireless communication network using one or more long rangewireless communication protocols.
 5. The computing system of claim 4,wherein the camera activation signal is sent directly to the respondercamera via the wireless communication network using the one or more longrange wireless communication protocols.
 6. The computing system of claim5, wherein the video is received from the responder camera via thewireless communication network using the one or more long range wirelesscommunication protocols.
 7. The computing system of claim 6, wherein thevideo is received from the responder camera as a streaming video.
 8. Thecomputing system of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the streamingvideo is received from the responder camera before the responder camerafinishes capturing the video.
 9. The computing system of claim 1,further comprising: the responder computing device associated with theresponder; and the responder camera associated with the responder,wherein the responder computing device and the responder camera areconfigured to communicate directly via a short range wirelesscommunication protocol.
 10. The computing system of claim 1, furthercomprising: the responder computing device associated with theresponder; and the responder camera associated with the responder,wherein the responder computing device is not in communication with theresponder camera.
 11. The computing system of claim 1, wherein theresponder computing device includes a first responder computing device,the responder camera includes a first responder computing device and theinstructions, when executed by the processor, further cause thecomputing system to: receive a second dispatch acknowledgement from asecond responder computing device associated with a second responder,the second dispatch acknowledgement indicating that the second respondercomputing device is en route to the geographic area; in response toreceiving the second dispatch acknowledgement from the second respondercomputing device, automatically send a camera activation signal to asecond responder camera associated with the second responder; andreceive second video from the second responder camera, wherein at leasta portion of the second video is received prior to the second respondercamera arriving at the geographic area.
 12. The computing system ofclaim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor,further cause the computing system to receive the dispatchacknowledgement from the responder computing device before thegeographic area associated with the location is determined.
 13. Thecomputing system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed bythe processor, further cause the computing system to: receive the videoas streaming video; receive the second video as second streaming video;and simultaneously display the streaming video and second streamingvideo.
 14. The computing system of claim 13, wherein the streaming videoand second streaming video are displayed on different portions of onedisplay device.
 15. A method performed by a computing system foractivating recording, the method comprising: receiving an indication ofa location; determining a geographic area associated with the location;receiving a dispatch acknowledgement from a responder computing deviceassociated with a responder, the dispatch acknowledgement indicatingthat the responder computing device is at the geographic area or thatthe responder computing device is en route to the geographic area; andin response to receiving the dispatch acknowledgement from the respondercomputing device, automatically sending a camera activation signal to aresponder camera associated with the responder; and receiving video fromthe responder camera, wherein the responder camera is an on-body cameraseparate from the responder computing device and the video is receivedas a streaming video after sending the camera activation signal to theresponder camera.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the dispatchacknowledgement is received from the responder computing device via awireless communication network using one or more long rangecommunication protocols, the activation signal is sent directly to theresponder camera via the wireless communication network using the one ormore long range communication protocols, and the responder cameratransmits the received video via the wireless communication networkusing the one or more long range communication protocols.
 17. The methodof claim 15, further comprising: receiving a second dispatchacknowledgement from a second responder computing device associated witha second responder, the second dispatch acknowledgement indicating thatthe second responder computing device is en route to the geographicarea; in response to receiving the second dispatch acknowledgement fromthe second responder computing device, automatically sending a cameraactivation signal to a second responder camera associated with thesecond responder; and receiving second video from the second respondercamera, wherein at least a portion of the second video is received priorto the second responder camera arriving at the geographic area.
 18. Anon-transitory computer readable medium having instructions embodiedthereon for activating recording, wherein the instructions, in responseto execution by a computing system, cause the computing system to:receive an indication of a location or event; determine a geographicarea associated with the location or event; send a dispatch request to aresponder computing device associated with a responder, wherein thedispatch request includes instructions to respond to the geographicarea; after the dispatch request is sent, receive a dispatchacknowledgement from the responder computing device associated with theresponder, the dispatch acknowledgement indicating that the respondercomputing device is at the geographic area or that the respondercomputing device is en route to the geographic area; and in response toreceiving the dispatch acknowledgement from the responder computingdevice, automatically send a camera activation signal to a respondercamera associated with the responder; and receiving video from theresponder camera, wherein the responder camera is separate from theresponder computing device and the video is received in response tosending the camera activation signal to the responder camera.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein theinstructions, in response to execution by the computing system, furthercause the computing system to: receive the dispatch acknowledgement fromthe responder computing device via a wireless communication networkusing one or more long range communication protocols; send theactivation signal directly to the responder camera via the wirelesscommunication network using the one or more long range communicationprotocols; and receive the video as streaming video via the wirelesscommunication network using the one or more long range communicationprotocols.
 20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18,wherein the instructions, in response to execution by the computingsystem, further cause the computing system to: receive a second dispatchacknowledgement from a second responder computing device associated witha second responder, the second dispatch acknowledgement indicating thatthe second responder computing device is en route to the geographicarea; in response to receiving the second dispatch acknowledgement fromthe second responder computing device, automatically send a cameraactivation signal to a second responder camera associated with thesecond responder; and receive second video from the second respondercamera, wherein at least a portion of the second video is received priorto the second responder camera arriving at the geographic area.